Do Hard Divinely Better — 1 Nephi 1–5

Come, Follow Me: Book of Mormon 2024 (January 8–14)

It had me at the first verse. 

“I, NEPHI, having been born of goodly parents, therefore I was taught somewhat in all the learning of my father; and having many afflictions in the course of my days, NEVERTHELESS, having been highly favored of the Lord in all my days; yea, having had a great knowledge of the goodness and the mysteries of God, therefore I make a record of my proceedings in my days” (I Nephi 1:1)

Nevertheless. In spite of. Despite. On one side of the coin are problems, trials, pain, and suffering. On the other side is feeling cherished, seeing the goodness of God, and knowing Him. They go together for Nephi. God is there through the good and the bad. 

This isn’t always my mindset during difficult times. I often cry out, “Why me?” “Where are you?” “Why can’t you take this from me?” “This is too hard.” “What have I done to deserve this?” “It’s not fair.” I don’t yet have a clear celestial view of the connection between a loving Heavenly Father and mortal pain. It’s obstructed with the popular, worldly view, “If God loved you, He wouldn’t let this happen.” 

In President Nelson’s recent conference talk, Think Celestial, he said, “As you think celestial, you will view trials and opposition in a new light.” Nephi saw this new light. How did he do it? 

One piece of the answer is realizing that Nephi wrote his story 30 years after the actual experience. No doubt over time he gained a celestial perspective that influenced how he viewed and reported his past experiences. He was able to find meaning and learning by reviewing the “hard things” (1 Nephi 3:5) in his life and seeing the hand of God throughout his story. 

This year as I study the Book of Mormon, I’m seeking how to do hard better, how to do hard divinely better. 52 weeks of discovering and doing what our “friends” (thanks Jody) in the Book of Mormon knew and did to think celestial through thick and thin. Join me, won’t you?

Lesson #1. Reflect on a past hard experience. Identify what you learned from it. Were there any positives that came from it? As you look back, can you see the Lord’s hand?